191 private terraced houses (bottom) at Geylang Lorong 3, where the leases will end in 3 years time, pictured on 20 June 2017.

The Straits Times

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) confirmed yesterday (Oct 3) that 35 of the 39 owner-occupied private terraced houses in Geylang Lorong 3 have qualified for Housing Board flats after having their circumstances assessed by the SLA and HDB.

There are 191 affected units but these 39 are the units still occupied by the owners or their family members today.

According to the same report, the remaining units consist of temple operators or are rented out to foreign workers.

Geylang Lorong 3 is the first batch of residential properties in Singapore that is due to be returned to the state when the 60-year lease expires at the end of 2020, with no extensions allowed.

Four months ago, home-owners in the area were informed that they had to vacate by Dec 31, 2020, with no compensation provided.

In yesterday’s update, the SLA said one owner’s application for a Build-To-Order (BTO) two-room flexi flat has been successful.

Three other households have participated in a Re-offer of Balance Flats (ROF) exercise but their applications are still being processed by HDB. The ROF pools together unsold flats, and is meant to help those with more urgent household needs.

The SLA has urged remaining households who have yet to secure housing to join upcoming BTO exercises.